British tourists warned over 'free' holiday souvenirs that could end up costing thousands
It seems like a simple enough keepsake but the reality could end up costing you thousands of pounds.
Many people take home souvenirs after their summer holidays. A fridge magnet, keychain or perhaps a piece of artwork spotted in a market are all popular choices. However, one other popular keepsake could actually see you facing some serious fines.
It might seem perfectly innocent, but in parts of Europe, taking sand or seashells from the beach is prohibited by law and could see tourists fined up to £2,600. One place where these fines are enforced is Sardinia. The rule applies across the Italian island, including its celebrated Emerald Coast and beaches such as La Pelosa, Cala Goloritzè and Chia.
Graziano Gagliardi, travel expert at Private Italy Tour, warned: “Sand might look like a free souvenir, but in Sardinia it is protected.
"Putting even a small amount into a bottle or bag could turn an innocent beach day into a very expensive mistake.”
Pocketing even a small amount of sand in Sardinia can result in a fine ranging from £430 to £2,600.
Graziano explained: “The law does not provide a souvenir-sized exception. A single handful is still sand removed from the coastline, and saying it was only intended as a personal memento may not protect you from a fine.”
The law also prohibits people from taking pebbles, stones and shells from the coast or the sea.
Graziano said: “The easiest rule to remember is that nothing natural should leave the beach with you. That includes empty shells and attractive pebbles, not just obvious bottles of sand.”
It’s not just Sardinia that has this rule. Spain, France and the UK all have similar laws which protect the natural environment and ban people from removing sand and shells.
In Ibiza, tourists can be fined up to £51,024 depending on the scale and damage caused by the theft.
According to Ibiza Daily News, customs officers have increased inspections for sand and shells in luggage. Some travellers have had jars of sand and shells confiscated and others have been fined on the spot.
In France, the restrictions sit within France's Environmental Code (Code de l’environnement), which covers the country’s natural coastal heritage. Anyone caught removing materials without permission can face fines of up to €1,500, depending on the circumstances.
In the UK, the Coast Protection Act 1949 bans the removal of any natural materials from UK beaches. If you are caught committing this offence you could be fined up to £1,000.
Graziano said: “The easiest rule to remember is that nothing natural should leave the beach with you. That includes empty shells and attractive pebbles, not just obvious bottles of sand.”
Even when an individual object appears unimportant, repeatedly removing these materials can gradually affect the character and condition of the shoreline.
Graziano added: “An empty shell may look as though it is no longer useful, but it still belongs to that environment. Leaving it behind protects the beach and removes any uncertainty about whether you could be breaking the rules.”
